ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Textiles
India is currently in the process of negotiating FTAs with EU, Australia, UK, Canada, Israel and other countries
Government under Market Access Initiative scheme provides financial support to various Export Promotion Councils and Trade Bodies engaged in promotion of textiles
Minister of state for Textiles Smt. Darshana Jardosh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today informed that India and UAE have recently signed a Free Trade Agreement which is likely to boost exports of Indian textile and apparels. India is currently in the process of negotiating FTAs with EU, Australia, UK, Canada, Israel and other countries/ region.
India is facing tariff disadvantage in some of the markets such as EU, UK etc. as compared to neighbouring competing nations like Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka etc. The Government, under its Market Access Initiative  scheme provides financial support to various Export Promotion Councils  and Trade Bodies engaged in promotion of textiles and garments exports, for organising and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets etc. Further, in the times of COVID-19 pandemic, virtual exhibitions were also organised by EPCs as an alternative mode of marketing, in order to tap opportunities in the global markets.
In order to make textiles products cost competitive and adopting the principle of zero rated export, government has extended continuation of Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies  on exports of Apparel/Garments  and Made-ups  till 31st March 2024. The other textiles products  which are not covered under the RoSCTL are covered under Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products  along with other products.
The Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme  was launched in January 2016 for one-time capital subsidy for eligible benchmark machinery. Segments which have got higher employment and export potential such as garmenting and technical textiles are eligible for capital subsidy. In order to supplement its efforts of textile industry in creating jobs and also to address the skilled manpower needs of the industry, Ministry of Textiles is implementing Samarth- Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector  for the entire value chain of textiles except Spinning and Weaving in the organized sector. Ministry is implementing Textile Cluster Development Scheme  from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a view to create an integrated workspace and linkages-based ecosystem for existing as well as potential textile units to make them operationally and financially viable with a view to bring benefits of critical mass for customization of interventions, economies of scale in operation, competitiveness in manufacturing, cost efficient, better access to technology and information, etc. Further, to promote production of MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics and Products of Technical Textiles in the country, Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for Textiles has been launched. Government has also approved setting up of 7  PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel  Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites to develop world class infrastructure including plug and play facility.
Special Service and Features
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY'S PROFESSIONAL AND JOB-ORIENTED DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES TAILOR-MADE FOR NEW AGE PROFESSIONALS OF TODAY
Directorate of Distance Education  at Pondicherry University has been offering a total of 20  degree programmes which includes 08  MBA degrees in Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management, International Business, General, Tourism, Operations & Supply Chain Management and Hospital Management, 04  PG degrees including MCom  and MA in English, Hindi and Sociology and 08  UG degrees . The Admission process usually commences in July for the Academic year. However, due to COVID-19 backlog DEB, UGC this year'sadmissions for the Academic Session 2022are revised and commencedon 1stSep 2022 and ends on 15thNov 2022.
The DDE, Pondicherry University is offering Professional and Job-Oriented academic Programmes for all those who are unable to join regular academic and vocational education programmes in the university’s affiliated colleges. This is done to cater to the needs of people who could not pursue their higher education in the formal/ on-campus streams. These degree programmes have been recognized and approved by the AICTE, New Delhi and the Distance Education Bureau , New Delhi.
During last year Academic Year admissions, the DDE automated the entire admissions process so that students from any part of the country could submit their application forms and make their fee payments online. Under the vision and guidance of Prof. Gurmeet Singh, the Vice-Chancellor of the Pondicherry University, the Directorate of Distance Education is progressing very rapidly.
The DDE, Pondicherry University had also conducted a series of International Webinars in February 2022 and the Job Fair in June2022 and September2022 in Pondicherry and Bangalore respectively for the benefit of its studentsand that helped in getting placement to large number of students. The Job Fairs would continue for the next few months along with its Twinning Programme Centres at North, East and Western parts of the country. There would be certainly a lot of takeaways from these events for each one of us, which would help us in our future endeavours, wherever we would be, says Prof. C.K. Ramaiah, the Director, Directorate of Distance Education, Pondicherry University.
Further, to cater to the needs of the teaching, the DDE has 29 faculty members, 17 Professors as Course Coordinators, and several full-time teaching and administrative staff. This year, DDE is celebrating its Silver Jubilee and plan to introduce many innovations that have not been done before, the International/ national Webinars are one of those.
For more information, please visit the website athttps://dde.pondiuni.edu.in/
Ministry of Jal Shakti
USE OF GROUNDWATER
This Department is implementing Atal Bhujal Yojana , a Rs.6,000 crore Central Sector Scheme, for sustainable management of water resources with community participation. Atal Jal is being implemented in 81 water stressed districts and 8,774 Gram Panchayats of seven States viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on a pilot basis. The scheme includes activities like preparation of Water Security Plan at Gram Panchayat level in participatory mode by involving communities to use available groundwater and surface water in an efficient manner for all purposes including agriculture sector, which is likely to immensely help the farmers with increased production, sustainable livelihood etc apart from reducing the dependence on groundwater resources.
Further, though Water is a State subject a number of policy initiatives/schemes have been taken up by the Central Government for conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water in the country in an efficient manner in the interest of farmers and other common people. Some of the important initiatives in this regard is given at Annexure.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Apex Corporations of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organise a Loan Mela-cum-Awareness Camp & Toolkit  distribution
Apex Corporations of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised a Loan Mela-cum-Awareness Camp & Toolkit  distribution today at ATDC Centre, Sanskar Ashram Complex, Dilshad Garden, New Delhi.
Several dignitaries including Shri Prabhat Kumar Singh, Managing Director, National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation , Shri Rajnish Kumar Jenaw, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation  & National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation , Shri Vijay Mathur DG & CEO, ATDC and representatives from Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. were present on the occasion.
During the programme, 70 Safai Karamchari candidates were distributed Toolkit  trained by ATDC under the SPMCIL-NSKFDC CSR project. The candidates were also provided job letters. Apart from this, beneficiaries under the Apex Corporations of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment were also distributed loan sanction/release letters.
A health-cum-awareness camp was also organised during the programme by NSKFDC, wherein health check-up of the participant beneficiaries was undertaken by specialists of eye, gynaecology and general physician. Free medicines and spectacles were also provided to the beneficiaries.
Dignitaries addressed the beneficiaries and appealed them to avail benefit of the schemes being run by their organisations for welfare and development of the beneficiaries and raise their socio-economic status.
MG/RNM/RK
(Visitor Counter : 1126
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DEPwD to Observe World Mental Health Day Tomorrow
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is observing the “World Mental Health Day” on 10th October, 2019 . The Department has prepared a series of activities to be undertaken during the week by its various National Institutes to raise awareness about Mental Health issues including identification of early signs to prevent aggravation and rehabilitation/mainstreaming of successfully cured mentally ill persons.
These are:-
- Nukkad Natak
- Brain Storming sessions amongst students
- Run for Happiness
- Talk Shows
- Human Chain Smiley
- Various posters relevant to the subject may be displayed in prominent places in institutes may be displayed in prominent places in institutes, CRCs & other areas of activities
- Holding of Seminars involving various faculty members
- Awareness Activities including stage play, theatre, essays, debate competition
- Publicizing success stories where people have overcome depression, suicidal tendencies, and who are now well integrated with societies
- Sensitization of various NGOs in the vicinity of Institutes.
- Holding Meetings in residential areas to sensitize parents and youth.
- Special Full Day Programme may be organized on 10th October 2019 focusing on the main theme of 2019 which is Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CPCB asks NCR states pollution board and agencies to take immediate and effective steps to control Air Pollution.
Urges public to provide feedback on polluting activities through SAMEER App
Air Quality to remain Very Poor in coming days.
Central Pollution Control Board  has been reviewing air quality and meteorological scenario in Delhi-NCR on continuous basis. As per the forecast received from Indian Meteorological
Department, the ventilation conditions are likely to slow down in Delhi causing poor dispersion of pollutants due to which, AQI is predicted to be in Very Poor category for coming days.
In view of deteriorating air quality and likely increase in activities during New Year celebrations, CPCB had
issued an order on 23.12.2020 directing Delhi Pollution Control Committee  and SPCBs in NCR states namely, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to ensure the following:
●Hot mix plants and stone crushers shall remain closed all the time till January 02, 2021.
●Frequency of mechanized cleaning of roads and water sprinkling to be increased particularly on the road stretches with high dust generation potential.
●It shall be ensured that guidelines/standard operating procedures for dust mitigation at construction sites are strictly adhered to. In case of violations, strict action should be taken against the violators like imposition of penalty/ temporary stoppage of construction activities.
●Agencies must ensure compliance of orders of Hon’ble Courts and National Green Tribunal regarding banning of sale and use of firecrackers.
As per Hon’ble NGT order dated October 15, 2019, in the matter of Utkarsh Panwar Vs. Central Pollution Control Board, all brick kilns in NCR are already closed.
CPCB has deployed 50 teams for field inspections in Delhi –NCR  since 15th of October this year, to assess the ground level scenario and ensure enforcement of mitigation measures for control of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. These teams have been visiting pollution hotspots and other areas in Delhi NCR region and reporting the violations of various guidelines/norms by posting these on the SAMEER App.
DPCC, SPCBs of NCR states and various central and state agencies have been requested to take effective steps immediately which will help in controlling pollution.
CPCB urges public to provide feedback on polluting activities through SAMEER App which can be downloaded from Google Play  and App store for android and IOS respectively.
Ministry of Coal
Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd to provide 50 e-rickshaws to divyang of Sambalpur District
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited , a premier subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, will be providing e-rickshaws to 50 divyang people in Sambalpur district of Odisha, under its CSR project “Saksham” which offers livelihood opportunities to the needy.
As per a memorandum of understanding  signed yesterday with the Sambalpur Administration in this regard, MCL will be providing financial assistance to the District Administration, Sambalpur for procurement of 50 E-Rickshaw to be allotted to ‘divyang’ people of district Sambalpur.
Besides generating sustainable self-employment to needy divyang, this CSR initiative will also promote green and clean environment by encouraging electric transport.
On behalf of MCL, the MoU was signed by Shri Rajanikanta Panigrahi, General Manager  while Shri Madanjit Hota, District Social Security Officer , Sambalpur signed on behalf of the district administration.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 166.17 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 11.02 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,66,17,16,335
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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11,02,64,356
More than 166.17 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 11.02 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Finance Commission
Finance Commission meets Bankers and Financial Institutions in Mumbai
The Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh, Members and Senior Officials of the 15th Finance Commission met a large group of Bankers and Heads of Financial Institutions in Mumbai today.
Salient points raised by banks during their meeting with 15th Finance Commission on 9th May 2019.
- In the context of making the borrowing costs of State Governments aligned to their fiscal and governance fundamentals, the Automatic Debit Mechanism which is currently in vogue and the need for introducing rating of all public sector borrowers including States was discussed by the bankers.
- The bankers also mentioned that it is important to take a view on the total public sector borrowing requirements, as opposed to the narrowly defined Union and State fiscal deficits, to improve fiscal transparency and to ensure that markets get clear signals of the fund requirements of the public sector, ex ante.
- A few of the bankers mentioned that the maturity profile of outstanding borrowings of the Union and State Governments indicates that there is likely to be a repayment pressure during the next 4-5 years.
- The bankers also discussed their perspective in the areas of priority sector lending, loan waiver announced by Governments and its impact on credit culture, recapitalization of banks, foreign portfolio investment in Government securities, operationalization of sinking fund by States and raising of market borrowing by local self-governments.
- It was also mentioned, in the context of horizontal devolution of Union taxes among States that fiscal discipline, transparency, governance improvements and revenue raising efforts of States be factored in appropriately.
The Bankers and Institutions who attended the meeting were, Mr.P.K. Gupta, State Bank of India, Ms. P. Sengupta, Bank of Baroda, Mr. Dina Bandhu Mohapatra, Bank of India, Mr. A.S. Rajeev, Bank of Maharashtra, Mr. Pallav Mohapatra, Central Bank of India, Mr. Manas Ranjan Biswal, Union Bank of India, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, HDFC Bank Ltd, Mr. Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, HDFC Bank Ltd, Mr. Sandeep Batra, ICICI Bank Ltd, Mr. Arun Khurana, Indusind Bank, Mr. K.V.S. Manian, Kotak Mahindra Bank. Mr. Ajay Mahajan, IDFC First Bank, Mr. Rakesh Sharma, IDBI Bank Limited
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Outreach programme on Swachh Bharat Mission  held at Naihati
Kolkata December 07, 2018.
A special outreach campaign on Swachh Bharat Mission organised by Field Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was held at Naihati, North 24 Parganas today.
Speaking at the programme, Sri Rajendra Gupta, CIC Conservancy, Naihati Municipality elaborated the aim of the awareness programme. Sri Manas Pal CIC, PWD, Sri Sambhunath Biswas, Councillor and Smt Deepa Mukherjee, Councillor were present. Councillors from more than fifteen wards attended the programme along with public works department and conservancy department officials and staff to deliberate on the issues of Swachhta and civic amenities.
In the seminar organised as part of the campaign, Field Publicity Officer of Medinipur, Sri Sudipta Biswas, underlined the importance of the mission mode of Swachh Bharat and its highlights- segregation of waste at source and use of blue and green bins, decentralised solid waste management, importance of composting- how to compost at home, anti-littering, significance of 3Rs  and it’s application in citizens’ daily life. An open quiz on the subject of cleanliness was also held and prizes were awarded. The campaign included a slogan writing competition and a performance on environment awareness by Song and Drama Division’s troupe.
The experts deliberated on Swachhta objectives and challenges in bringing about behavioural change in people.
Sri Bhajan Mukherjee, Vice Chairman, Naihati Municipality was present among the dignitaries. He thanked Field Outreach Bureau for the awareness campaign. More such awareness programmes on Swachh Bharat Mission  will be held in the wards under Naihati Municipality.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves financial assistance worth Rs.825 Crore for relining of Sirhind Feeder Canal and relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal
Twin Projects to curb waterlogging in Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozpur in Punjab
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved providing Central Assistance of Rs. 620.42 Cr. and Rs. 205.758 Cr. for implementation of relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal and Sirhind Feeder Canal respectively over five years  for Relining of Sirhind Feeder from RD 119700 to 447927 and relining of Rajasthan Feeder from RD 179000to 496000 of Punjab.
Impact:
- Implementation of these twin projects would help in addressing the problem of water-logging in 84800 Ha of land in Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozpur districts in South-West Punjab.
- Implementation of these projects would address the problem of water logging in South-West Punjab and enhance the flows/ water availability in the two canals.
- Farmers in the area would be benefitted due to stabilisation / improved irrigation in 98,739 Ha of land due to relining of Rajasthan Feeder and 69,086 Ha due to relining of Sirhind Feeder.
Expenditure:
- Funding for CA to the Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind feeder shall be made through NABARD under existing system for funding of 99 PMKSY-AIBP projects under LTIF.
- In addition to existing monitoring mechanism for projects by Central Water Commission, an Expert Project Review Committee may be constituted to oversee the overall implementation of these projects.
- The approved cost of relining of Sirhind Feeder Canal is Rs. 671.478 Cr and that of relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal is Rs. 1305.267 Cr, at 2015 PL. Of the total estimated cost, Rs. 826.168 Cr would be provided as Central Assistance .
- Investment Clearance of Revised Cost Estimates amounting to Rs.671.478 crore and Rs.1305.267 crore for Relining of Sirhind Feeder and Relining of Rajasthan Feeder respectively have been accorded on 6th April, 2016.
- The projects were visited by a team under Chairman CWC during 2016 and by another team under Sh. A. B. Pandya, former Chairman, CWC during 2017. They recommended remedial works to be taken up. The Punjab Government also conveyed its financial concurrence on 26.04.2018.
Background
Sirhind and Rajasthan Feeders take off upstream of Harike Head works and flow through Punjab before crossing over to Rajasthan. The twin canals have a common bank and were constructed in the 1960s as lined  channels to convey water to command areas in Punjab and Rajasthan.
The Government of Punjab has reported considerable seepage loss due to damages in the lining of both Sirhind and Rajasthan Feeders. As a result, apart from reduced flows in these canals, the adjacent areas have been affected by water logging causing huge agricultural losses.
The project would mitigate water logging problem and enhance the flows/ water availability in the two canals.
Ministry of Power
Cabinet approves Kiru Hydro Electric  Project  in Jammu and Kashmir
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the investment sanction for construction of Kiru Hydro Electric Project  by M/s Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited  in Jammu & Kashmir.
The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs.4287.59 crore  which includes Interest During Construction and Foreign Component  of Rs.426.16 crore and infusion of equity of Rs 630.28 crore by NHPC in M/s CVPPPL, for construction of Kiru HE Project  including Rs.70 crore for pre-construction activities already approved by the Cabinet, while according the approval for execution of the Pakal Dul HE Project.
M/s CVPPPL, is a joint venture company amongst NHPC, Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation  and PTC with equity shareholding of 49%, 49% and 2% respectively.
The project is located on River Chenab in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir. It envisages construction of a 135 m high concrete gravity Dam above deepest foundation level, 4 Nos circular, Pressure Shaft of 5.5 m internal dia of length varying from 316 m to 322 m, an underground Power House and 4 Nos Tail Race Tunnel, Horseshoe shape, 7 m dia and length varying from 165 m to 190 m.
The project shall provide much needed power in northern grid and shall accelerate process of development of remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The Project is scheduled to be completed in a period of 4 1/2 years.
Kiru HE Project is envisaged as a Run of River  Scheme, designed complying with the requirements of Indus Water Treaty 1960, with installed capacity 624 MW . The Project would generate 2272.02 MU in a 90% dependable year.
Background:
The foundation stone of the project was laid by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 3rd Feb 2019.
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir  already granted exemption on account of payment of levy of toll tax, State Goods and Service Tax , waiver of free power in a decremental manner and water usage charges for a period of 10 years from the date of commercial operation.